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Batman Tales: Once Upon a Crime
Gotham City is filled with stories--of heroes and of villains, of police and criminals, of families both lost and found. But the enchanted short stories in BATMAN TALES are brought to life with a classic fairy-tale twist that will fill you with wonder.
Once upon a crime in Gotham...
Damian Wayne dreams of becoming a real boy wonder--as long as he can avoid telling lies and making his nose grow.
Batman's butler takes an unexpected trip through the looking glass and finds himself in a topsy-turvy world, for Alfred's in Wonderland!
Gotham City Police Department detectives interrogate Gotham's most dangerous criminals looking for the princess who stole the pea.
And Batman meets a snow queen who leads him on a dangerous quest.
Derek Fridolfs and Dustin Nguyen, the creative team behind LI'L GOTHAM, return to their Bat-roots--this time with a fairy-tale flair!
Once upon a crime in Gotham...
Damian Wayne dreams of becoming a real boy wonder--as long as he can avoid telling lies and making his nose grow.
Batman's butler takes an unexpected trip through the looking glass and finds himself in a topsy-turvy world, for Alfred's in Wonderland!
Gotham City Police Department detectives interrogate Gotham's most dangerous criminals looking for the princess who stole the pea.
And Batman meets a snow queen who leads him on a dangerous quest.
Derek Fridolfs and Dustin Nguyen, the creative team behind LI'L GOTHAM, return to their Bat-roots--this time with a fairy-tale flair!
192 pages, Paperback
First published February 11, 2020
47 people are currently reading
488 people want to read
About the author
Derek Fridolfs
543 books60 followersDerek Fridolfs has worked professionally as an writer, inker, cover & sequential artist for DC, Marvel, Dark Horse, Boom, IDW, and a majority of comic companies the past 20 years.
#1 New York Times Best Selling Writer for the DC Secret Hero Society book series through SCHOLASTIC. And Eisner Nominated co-writer of Batman: Li'l Gotham at DC.
He's also written for such titles as Adventure Time, Regular Show, Clarence, Looney Tunes, Scooby-Doo, Teen Titans Go!, Dexter's Laboratory, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The New Animated Adventures, Batman Arkham City, Batman Arkham Unhinged, Adventures Of Superman, Sensation Comics Wonder Woman, Justice League Beyond and many more.
#1 New York Times Best Selling Writer for the DC Secret Hero Society book series through SCHOLASTIC. And Eisner Nominated co-writer of Batman: Li'l Gotham at DC.
He's also written for such titles as Adventure Time, Regular Show, Clarence, Looney Tunes, Scooby-Doo, Teen Titans Go!, Dexter's Laboratory, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The New Animated Adventures, Batman Arkham City, Batman Arkham Unhinged, Adventures Of Superman, Sensation Comics Wonder Woman, Justice League Beyond and many more.
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
September 13, 2022
Batman + Children's Tales
This should have been an easy win for me. Unfortunately, this featured 3 of the stories I like the least.
Pinocchio, Alice in Wonderland, The Snow Queen. The only thing that could have made that line-up worse would be the addition of Peter Pan.
I fully realize that's a me problem.
The mash-up Princess and the Pea story was pretty cute. I thought that one had quite a bit of imagination behind it.
Dustin Nguyen's artwork was phenomenal as always and really pushed the dreamy fairytale feeling of the stories to the next level.
It's not that this was bad, but the stories themselves didn't capture my attention enough for me to stop myself from putting it down. I think it took me 3 or 4 days to finally make my way through this one. But there's nothing wrong with it at all. And I honestly think if I were more a fan of those particular tales, I would have been quite enamored of the way Derek Fridolfs managed to intertwine these character and their stories.
This was another Hoopla bonus borrow that I'm not sorry I downloaded.
This should have been an easy win for me. Unfortunately, this featured 3 of the stories I like the least.
Pinocchio, Alice in Wonderland, The Snow Queen. The only thing that could have made that line-up worse would be the addition of Peter Pan.
I fully realize that's a me problem.
The mash-up Princess and the Pea story was pretty cute. I thought that one had quite a bit of imagination behind it.
Dustin Nguyen's artwork was phenomenal as always and really pushed the dreamy fairytale feeling of the stories to the next level.
It's not that this was bad, but the stories themselves didn't capture my attention enough for me to stop myself from putting it down. I think it took me 3 or 4 days to finally make my way through this one. But there's nothing wrong with it at all. And I honestly think if I were more a fan of those particular tales, I would have been quite enamored of the way Derek Fridolfs managed to intertwine these character and their stories.
This was another Hoopla bonus borrow that I'm not sorry I downloaded.
March 25, 2020
The geniuses behind Batman:Li'l Gotham return for some Batman inspired fractured fairy tales. Damian Wayne provides his own panache for Pinocchio. Then Gotham's villains are all interrogated for a robbery giving their own fairy tale spins on their alibis. This was my favorite tale of the bunch. Next Alfred falls into Wonderland before Batman takes a trip with the Snow Queen. Dustin Nguyen's watercolors continue to be a delight in these all-ages stories.
February 15, 2021
"So building a secret crave hideout isn't a waste after all."
LOL
The artwork is as lovely as usual, what I like about the Lil' Gotham series is that there are many many chibi villains instead of just the freaking Joker. Hahahaha!
In this short 24 pages story, Alfred is the MC! Yeah! What more can you ask for?
July 2, 2020
re-telling of classic fairy tales centered around Batfamily new from DC kids. Was okay. Great art.
Read
February 22, 2020Dustin Nguyen please draw my entire life
November 17, 2020
2.5/5
Retellings of some classic stories with Batfam members. I really liked the art (Dustin Nguyen always kills it) and overall it was cute, but the way it tried to make parallels to classic stories felt forced.
Retellings of some classic stories with Batfam members. I really liked the art (Dustin Nguyen always kills it) and overall it was cute, but the way it tried to make parallels to classic stories felt forced.
March 9, 2020
3.5 Stars
March 18, 2020
CUTEST THING TO EVER COME FROM DC
May 12, 2021
Mais uma história em quadrinhos bonitinha, cuti-cuti e feita para crianças produzida pela dupla Derek Fridolfs e Dustin Nguyen para a linha DC Kids. A intenção aqui é mesclar personagens do universo do Homem-Morcego com os contos de fadas. O resultado traz quatro histórias: o Robin Damian Wayne misturado com Pinóquio; Arlequina como a princesa de A Princesa e a Ervilha; Alfred Pennyworth no papel de Alice no País das Maravilhas e, por fim, Batman ao lado da Rainha das Neves. Gostei de duas histórias e duas achei mais ou menos, por isso a nota quatro. Por estar mais familiarizado com os enredos de Piníquio e de Alice no País das Maravilhas acabei curtindo mais essas, que são mais fi[eis também ao enredo original dos contos de fadas e dos filmes da Disney. As outras duas, apesar de inventarem na forma, exageram no conteúdo, decaracterizando demais a trama original. De qualquer forma, é um quadrinho muito legal para as crianças e esse vai parar nas mãos do meu afilhadinho! =)
March 25, 2023
Пришел за чудесным артом Дастина Нгуена, получил вдобавок еще и остроумные адаптации классических и литературных сказок. Совершенно шикарный комикс для всех возрастов. Жаль "Маленький Готэм" у нас не успели издать, а теперь и не успеют.
Read
November 13, 2021~the wordplay and art is always so fun and cute in these✨
~waynocchio couldn't be gingerbread-bat cause he's not sweet enough to be made of cookie dough🥺
~i've only seen montoya in "gotham" the tv show and she didn't stand out much. but her character design looked cooool in this:0
~alfred saying damian's collection of pets is indistinguishable from the gotham zoo^•^
~the snow queen story hit pretty deep. especially the last line with how it's not just bad memories that keep us from living but good ones too>~<
~sometimes it is confusing but it's always heartwarming:')
~waynocchio couldn't be gingerbread-bat cause he's not sweet enough to be made of cookie dough🥺
~i've only seen montoya in "gotham" the tv show and she didn't stand out much. but her character design looked cooool in this:0
~alfred saying damian's collection of pets is indistinguishable from the gotham zoo^•^
~the snow queen story hit pretty deep. especially the last line with how it's not just bad memories that keep us from living but good ones too>~<
~sometimes it is confusing but it's always heartwarming:')
May 6, 2020
Aw this is adorable. A mixture of classic fairytales and DC universe.
March 31, 2023
cute but bland. best bits were alfred floating on a joker card and poison ivy offering bruce red roses. pinocchio shld have been cut entirely, tbh…
July 13, 2020
Lovely water color art. Great retellings of classic stories. The Alice in Wonderland's writing is frumiously clever in particular.
April 7, 2023
Too cartoony.
Free download - turns out it's a promotion for a graphic novel.
🙄
Free download - turns out it's a promotion for a graphic novel.
🙄
May 14, 2021
Ah my, where to begin
This book was wonderful. Every page brought more soft and beautiful watercolor-esc illustrations and sweet, goofy humor.
I 100% recommend this book to anyone who likes comics, Batman, fairytales, or existing (and even if you don’t, please read this book).
Now for ~spoilers~ (yeah sorry)
Let’s start with Waynocchio
Damian
My snarky boy was back, this time made of wood.
Not the Damian fic we wanted, but the one we needed.
Talia and Bruce’s relationship was absolutely adorable and it kinda makes me wish we saw more of that in the official comics. They were delightful.
And yeah, I know I sound like a broken record, but the art. Oh my goodness it was adorable. Damian’s beet red nose was precious and I thoroughly enjoyed this one.
(And Zatanna was gorgeous as always)
The Princess and the Pea
You know I’m always here for Harley Quinn ditching Joker so I was head over heels for this one. Harley and Ivy were adorable bffs.
I was so excited to see the Batfam in action as Ivy told her tale. Like did you even see them. They were precious.
And the Little Red-Hood had me screaming.
Ah Selina
“They saw me as a hero. As one of them. But I wasn’t, really. ... So I ran... I gave it all up just to be myself again.”
*weeps*
I know I’m blabbing too much so I’ll wrap it up.
Alfred in Wonderland
Delightful!
Alfred making snide remarks was so in character that it was fantastic. Also, Damian’s pets were drawn so cute I want all of them. I mean seriously. There was no reason they had to be so cute.
And last but not least
The Snow Queen
This one got me
The art was enchanting
The poetry was lovely
And the story was just so nice
And Poison Ivy trying to help Bruce by hiding the roses
Be still my heart
10/10 “The Batman Agreed. ‘Sometimes it’s not just bad memories that stop us from living, but the good ones, too’.”
This book was wonderful. Every page brought more soft and beautiful watercolor-esc illustrations and sweet, goofy humor.
I 100% recommend this book to anyone who likes comics, Batman, fairytales, or existing (and even if you don’t, please read this book).
Now for ~spoilers~ (yeah sorry)
Let’s start with Waynocchio
Damian
My snarky boy was back, this time made of wood.
Not the Damian fic we wanted, but the one we needed.
Talia and Bruce’s relationship was absolutely adorable and it kinda makes me wish we saw more of that in the official comics. They were delightful.
And yeah, I know I sound like a broken record, but the art. Oh my goodness it was adorable. Damian’s beet red nose was precious and I thoroughly enjoyed this one.
(And Zatanna was gorgeous as always)
The Princess and the Pea
You know I’m always here for Harley Quinn ditching Joker so I was head over heels for this one. Harley and Ivy were adorable bffs.
I was so excited to see the Batfam in action as Ivy told her tale. Like did you even see them. They were precious.
And the Little Red-Hood had me screaming.
Ah Selina
“They saw me as a hero. As one of them. But I wasn’t, really. ... So I ran... I gave it all up just to be myself again.”
*weeps*
I know I’m blabbing too much so I’ll wrap it up.
Alfred in Wonderland
Delightful!
Alfred making snide remarks was so in character that it was fantastic. Also, Damian’s pets were drawn so cute I want all of them. I mean seriously. There was no reason they had to be so cute.
And last but not least
The Snow Queen
This one got me
The art was enchanting
The poetry was lovely
And the story was just so nice
And Poison Ivy trying to help Bruce by hiding the roses
Be still my heart
10/10 “The Batman Agreed. ‘Sometimes it’s not just bad memories that stop us from living, but the good ones, too’.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 13, 2020
Most of the stories are ok. Waynocchio is a straightforward adapation of Pinocchio starring Damian, which was fine enough even if I don't care for the original. I did get a kick out of the brief take on I've Got No Strings, though. The Princess and the Pea is more of a pastiche of a bunch of different fairy and folk tales, including Puss in Boots. This is also fine, even funny at times, but nothing special. Alfred in Wonderland is exactly what it sounds like, and is my least favorite part of the book. It's the least original story in the book, and that's coming from someone who loves Alice in Wonderland. So far, fine enough. Maybe a little too juvenile for most adult readers, maybe a little too inside baseball for the kids it's supposedly aimed at. Fantastic art, though.
And then there's the last story, The Snow Queen. It's stunning. If the only thing you do with this book is flip to the last story, it'll be worth it. It's beautifully written, the art is even more amazing than in the rest of the book, and it packs an emotional punch that the rest of the book isn't even attempting to do. Truly one of the best Batman stories I've read in years.
And then there's the last story, The Snow Queen. It's stunning. If the only thing you do with this book is flip to the last story, it'll be worth it. It's beautifully written, the art is even more amazing than in the rest of the book, and it packs an emotional punch that the rest of the book isn't even attempting to do. Truly one of the best Batman stories I've read in years.
February 19, 2020
This book is (mostly) light and fun. The art is whimsical and lovely, with often-sketchy lines and bright splashes of watercolor. Most of the stories are pretty silly, fun plays on various fairy tales ("Waynenocchio" where Damien is Pinocchio, "The Princess & the Pea" where the pea is actually a fist-sized gem that was recently stolen, "Alfred in Wonderland" which is exactly what it sounds like), but the last story, "The Snow Queen" isn't funny.
It's beautiful.
I was going to give the book three stars, because I did like it, but didn't really like it...until I read that last story. That one's worth a whole star of its own.
TL;DR, a fun side-story book that's definitely best enjoyed by people who are already Bat-fans, because there are a LOT of in-jokes throughout, and knowing the various characters of the Bat-verse makes things make a lot more sense. 4/5
It's beautiful.
I was going to give the book three stars, because I did like it, but didn't really like it...until I read that last story. That one's worth a whole star of its own.
TL;DR, a fun side-story book that's definitely best enjoyed by people who are already Bat-fans, because there are a LOT of in-jokes throughout, and knowing the various characters of the Bat-verse makes things make a lot more sense. 4/5
August 31, 2022
I enjoy the art enough to bump this up, but it’s not something I’d read again. The stories were fun enough, but I wasn’t super engaged; it took me a month to come back to finish this. It’s a retelling of Pinocchio, Alice in Wonderland, and stories inspired by an amalgamation of other fairy tales like Princess and the Pea, Jack and the Beanstalk, and the Snow Queen starring Damian, Alfred, and Batman’s gallery of rogues. I’m sure I missed some references for fairy tales in the diamond interrogation scenes. I would’ve liked more focus on some other members of the Bat Family, but it was nice to have little cameos of random characters even if I didn’t always recognize them. I’m not opposed to other characters getting their own fairy tale retelling, but mostly I just like Dustin Nguyen’s art style.
February 16, 2020
Book 6: From the guys who gifted us with the Lil’ Gotham comics, Batman Tales: Once Upon a Crime was exactly what it should have been. Author Derek Fridolfs and illustrator Dustin Nguyen retold the stories of Pinocchio, Alice in Wonderland, Princess and the Pea, and The Ice Queen, in cute sweet little tales involving Batman characters. I just like what these two put out – it makes me happy because I like seeing Batman characters happy and having fun. It was a quick little break for me and I am in no way disappointed. I’m hoping these two will get to work together more – because honestly I will read whatever Batfamily stuff they bless me with. Categories: I’ll call this my graphic novel, but it could also be a retelling, family, and Zatanna is in it – so magic :)
May 29, 2022
A bunch of classic fairly tales (and DIsney movies), seen through the lens of Batman and his supporting cast! Each tale reimagining the characters as some wild adventure, some goofy and fantastical while others (like the closing story) a bit darker and more solemn. Dustin Nguyen's art is incredible and the various designs he pulls out here, all in his signature style but with many different looks and impressions, are beautiful. It's a wonderfully creative little book and it's fun to see all these characters take the place of fairy tale characters with their own unique spin.
February 13, 2020
"The Princess and the Pea" was great fun, but "The Snow Queen" was only okay, and I couldn't even get through "Waynocchio" or "Alfred in Wonderland." (I will admit re: the latter that I'm biased because I've never been a big Alice person, and I've seen it done to death as an anime fan.) Another problem for me, as an extremely casual Batman fan, is that I didn't even know who many of the characters were. Makes me wonder how many of the children this is aimed at would know them...
March 10, 2020
Wonderful retellings of classic fairy tales, with Batman characters! Derek Fridolfs & Dustin Nguyen reunite for these gorgeously painted and fun reimaginings, enjoyable for all readers and any level of Bat-fan!
For more works by Derek & Dustin, check out Lil’ Gotham and Secret Hero Society, plus a great run on Detective Comics “Heart of Hush”, written by Paul Dini!
For more works by Derek & Dustin, check out Lil’ Gotham and Secret Hero Society, plus a great run on Detective Comics “Heart of Hush”, written by Paul Dini!
May 5, 2020
A simply adorable Batman-turn on fairy tales.
Starring:
Waynoccio
The Princess & the pea (featuring other mixed up tales)
Alfred in Wonderland
and The Snow Queen
Everything beautiful drawn. Not only for kids!
Starring:
Waynoccio
The Princess & the pea (featuring other mixed up tales)
Alfred in Wonderland
and The Snow Queen
Everything beautiful drawn. Not only for kids!
did-not-finish
June 12, 2022This was... weird. It’s Batman characters combined with several fairytales in succession: Pinocchio, The Princess and the Pea, Jack & the Beanstalk, etc. I didn’t get very far in before I realized it just wasn’t working for me.
October 30, 2020
Chic dress
Felt like a children’s picture book, which is not very interesting. A warning on the cover would have been useful
Felt like a children’s picture book, which is not very interesting. A warning on the cover would have been useful
August 25, 2022
Batman Tales: Once Upon a Crime takes 4 classic children's stories and adds
a Dark Knight twist to them.
+ Damian Wayne is home sick with a fever. In his dreams, he imagines that
he's a little wooden boy who dreams to become a real life sidekick.
+ Detectives Bullock and Montoya are tasked with finding who stole a very
expensive diamond called ‘The Green Pea’. So let's haul in every baddie
Gotham has into questioning from Harley Quinn to Two-Face in order for
Bullock and Montoya to get to the bottom of things.
+ Faithful butler Alfred Pennyworth is cleaning Wayne Manor when he falls
through the looking glass into Wonderland. They ought to call it Arkhamland
as all of the characters Alfred meets are from Batman's Rogue's Gallery.
+Lastly, Batman is assisted on a wintery night by a mysterious woman clothed
in snow and frost in this adaptation of Han Christian Andersen's The Ice Queen.
Derek Fridolfs and Dustin Nguyen reunited to bring young adult readers this
digest volume of myth and fable. In 2009, the pair first joined forces in the
creation of the L'il Gotham Universe where Batman's friends and foes are just
a bit smaller and a whole lot cuter. Fridolfs and Nguyen's first entry was a short
story in Detective Comics Annual #27. This resulted in a digital miniseries
spin-off, the aptly named L'il Gotham.
In the digital series, Batman and son Damian celebrated the holidays in a way
only the Caped Crusader can- fighting bad guys! On Thanksgiving they fight
bargain shoppers and thieving birds during a scheme planned by the Penguin.
On New Year's Catwoman contemplates whether to spend the next 12 months
on the straight and narrow or keep on as a master cat burglar.
Once Upon A Crime continues with that same fanciful style first ushered forth
in the annual and digital spin-off. Fridolfs and Nguyen are real students of the
Batman Family. The creative duo seem greatly influenced by Batman: The
Animated Series with appearances by series characters such as Roxy Rocket,
Condiment King, Nora Fries and the Phantasm.
The second story which is modeled after The Princess and the Pea was the
best of the quartet. Great dialogue and very creatively plotted. The Pinnochio
story was pretty good as it paints a picture of what life would be like if Bruce
Wayne and Talia al Ghul wed. I felt that the Wonderland story was just too
gosh darn silly. Lewis Carroll's classics starring Alice weren't known for being
very logical. But that yarn lacks that mathematical edge that reflected Caroll's
passion for numbers. Though Nguyen’s illustration of the Jabberwock was
breathtaking.
The final story was very different in tone. That story was completely in verse.
It also lacked the humor of the other 3 tales. I'm not very familiar with
Andersen's The Ice Queen. Isn't this what Disney's Frozen is based on? If so,
then geez did Disney take a lot of creative license. While I didn't really know
the original source material, I really liked this story for its tragic journey that
ends in hope.
For my reading challenge, I'm supposed to read and review a Young Adult
Graphic Novel. Amazon classifies this book as being for readers aged 8-12.
According to several educational websites, a Young Adult reader is one from
ages 12-17. While I am on the low end of the spectrum of the age range with
this book, I'm still meeting the qualifications for this task.
a Dark Knight twist to them.
+ Damian Wayne is home sick with a fever. In his dreams, he imagines that
he's a little wooden boy who dreams to become a real life sidekick.
+ Detectives Bullock and Montoya are tasked with finding who stole a very
expensive diamond called ‘The Green Pea’. So let's haul in every baddie
Gotham has into questioning from Harley Quinn to Two-Face in order for
Bullock and Montoya to get to the bottom of things.
+ Faithful butler Alfred Pennyworth is cleaning Wayne Manor when he falls
through the looking glass into Wonderland. They ought to call it Arkhamland
as all of the characters Alfred meets are from Batman's Rogue's Gallery.
+Lastly, Batman is assisted on a wintery night by a mysterious woman clothed
in snow and frost in this adaptation of Han Christian Andersen's The Ice Queen.
Derek Fridolfs and Dustin Nguyen reunited to bring young adult readers this
digest volume of myth and fable. In 2009, the pair first joined forces in the
creation of the L'il Gotham Universe where Batman's friends and foes are just
a bit smaller and a whole lot cuter. Fridolfs and Nguyen's first entry was a short
story in Detective Comics Annual #27. This resulted in a digital miniseries
spin-off, the aptly named L'il Gotham.
In the digital series, Batman and son Damian celebrated the holidays in a way
only the Caped Crusader can- fighting bad guys! On Thanksgiving they fight
bargain shoppers and thieving birds during a scheme planned by the Penguin.
On New Year's Catwoman contemplates whether to spend the next 12 months
on the straight and narrow or keep on as a master cat burglar.
Once Upon A Crime continues with that same fanciful style first ushered forth
in the annual and digital spin-off. Fridolfs and Nguyen are real students of the
Batman Family. The creative duo seem greatly influenced by Batman: The
Animated Series with appearances by series characters such as Roxy Rocket,
Condiment King, Nora Fries and the Phantasm.
The second story which is modeled after The Princess and the Pea was the
best of the quartet. Great dialogue and very creatively plotted. The Pinnochio
story was pretty good as it paints a picture of what life would be like if Bruce
Wayne and Talia al Ghul wed. I felt that the Wonderland story was just too
gosh darn silly. Lewis Carroll's classics starring Alice weren't known for being
very logical. But that yarn lacks that mathematical edge that reflected Caroll's
passion for numbers. Though Nguyen’s illustration of the Jabberwock was
breathtaking.
The final story was very different in tone. That story was completely in verse.
It also lacked the humor of the other 3 tales. I'm not very familiar with
Andersen's The Ice Queen. Isn't this what Disney's Frozen is based on? If so,
then geez did Disney take a lot of creative license. While I didn't really know
the original source material, I really liked this story for its tragic journey that
ends in hope.
For my reading challenge, I'm supposed to read and review a Young Adult
Graphic Novel. Amazon classifies this book as being for readers aged 8-12.
According to several educational websites, a Young Adult reader is one from
ages 12-17. While I am on the low end of the spectrum of the age range with
this book, I'm still meeting the qualifications for this task.
July 2, 2020
See my full review here: https://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsfi...
BATMAN TALES: ONCE UPON A CRIME reimagines fairytales as Batman stories. There are four main stories in this graphic novel. The first is Damian Wayne who wants to be a real boy wonder, but he is stuck being Waynocchio, undergoing the trials of Pinocchio involving the villains of the Batman universe. The second is that of the princess and the pea, with detectives searching for a green gem that was stolen from the museum. As they interview villains to search for it, they encounter other fairytales, like Jack and the Beanstalk (with the Joker).
The third story takes us to Wonderland with Alfred following in the footsteps of Alice. Finally, the last story is that of the Snow Queen with Batman himself. The sketch-like drawings add some interesting art to these tales throughout.
What I loved: This was a fun way to explore the Batman universe and traditional fairytales. The stories are pretty inventive, though they do follow the plots of the fairytales they came from. The one that strayed most was Princess and the Pea. Readers who like Batman and fairytales will really enjoy the journey.
What left me wanting more: The stories seemed a little too close to the fairytales at times, and the plots were rather succinct. I would have liked to go more in-depth on one or two. The illustrations also had a different feel, with a sketch-like/unfinished quality and lots of white that will appeal to some.
I'll also add a note to say that some of these tales can be a bit scary, but they are not any scarier than the original fairytales (or the Pinocchio movie, which I also find a bit scary). They are age appropriate for the middle grade crowd.
Final verdict: Great for fans of Batman and fairytales, this is an interesting graphic novel that reimagines them in new ways.
Please note that I received a review copy. All opinions are my own.
BATMAN TALES: ONCE UPON A CRIME reimagines fairytales as Batman stories. There are four main stories in this graphic novel. The first is Damian Wayne who wants to be a real boy wonder, but he is stuck being Waynocchio, undergoing the trials of Pinocchio involving the villains of the Batman universe. The second is that of the princess and the pea, with detectives searching for a green gem that was stolen from the museum. As they interview villains to search for it, they encounter other fairytales, like Jack and the Beanstalk (with the Joker).
The third story takes us to Wonderland with Alfred following in the footsteps of Alice. Finally, the last story is that of the Snow Queen with Batman himself. The sketch-like drawings add some interesting art to these tales throughout.
What I loved: This was a fun way to explore the Batman universe and traditional fairytales. The stories are pretty inventive, though they do follow the plots of the fairytales they came from. The one that strayed most was Princess and the Pea. Readers who like Batman and fairytales will really enjoy the journey.
What left me wanting more: The stories seemed a little too close to the fairytales at times, and the plots were rather succinct. I would have liked to go more in-depth on one or two. The illustrations also had a different feel, with a sketch-like/unfinished quality and lots of white that will appeal to some.
I'll also add a note to say that some of these tales can be a bit scary, but they are not any scarier than the original fairytales (or the Pinocchio movie, which I also find a bit scary). They are age appropriate for the middle grade crowd.
Final verdict: Great for fans of Batman and fairytales, this is an interesting graphic novel that reimagines them in new ways.
Please note that I received a review copy. All opinions are my own.
August 28, 2022
Your enjoyment of this book rests entirely on what you think of Dustin Nguyen's art. His lil Batman style has been hit or miss with me, and the watercolor approach he uses here isn't as fully fleshed out as his work on the much superior Descender/Ascender series with Jeff Lemire. And the stories provided here really don't give him a lot to work with.
Ultimately, we're reading a couple of classic stories with Batman characters foisted on them. The Pinocchio and Alice in Wonderland pastiches are... not good. They lean on in-jokes and easter eggs for humor and don't bring anything new to either the classic stories nor the DC canon. The Princess and the Pea at least does something creative with the story concept, even if the contradictory tales told by the characters to Commissioner Gordon get to be a bit chaotic.
The only reason this book got three stars is because of the last story, the Snow Queen. This one relies more on visuals than narration, and really gives Nguyen's art a chance to shine. The story is pretty simple but manages a level of poignancy that is missing in the rest of the collection.
Ultimately, this is a pretty forgettable collection, but might be worth a look for the last story, or if you're a fan of Nguyen's artwork. While much of the collection minimizes the chances for him to show off, the last story provides some level of redemption.
Ultimately, we're reading a couple of classic stories with Batman characters foisted on them. The Pinocchio and Alice in Wonderland pastiches are... not good. They lean on in-jokes and easter eggs for humor and don't bring anything new to either the classic stories nor the DC canon. The Princess and the Pea at least does something creative with the story concept, even if the contradictory tales told by the characters to Commissioner Gordon get to be a bit chaotic.
The only reason this book got three stars is because of the last story, the Snow Queen. This one relies more on visuals than narration, and really gives Nguyen's art a chance to shine. The story is pretty simple but manages a level of poignancy that is missing in the rest of the collection.
Ultimately, this is a pretty forgettable collection, but might be worth a look for the last story, or if you're a fan of Nguyen's artwork. While much of the collection minimizes the chances for him to show off, the last story provides some level of redemption.
August 30, 2025
4 histoires de contes traditionnels sont réécrites et revisitées à travers les personnages de Gotham. Même si le contenu n'est pas aussi noir que les Batmans originaux, je pense qu'il est plus difficile de compréhension pour un enfant qui souhaiterait découvrir l'univers de Batman. Les références culturelles s'entrecroisent avec les personnages de Gotham. L'insertion d'autres personnages de contes (Boucle d'or, le loup du chaperon rouge) à l'intérieur d'une histoire rend le contenu encore plus confus.
La dernière histoire sur la Reine des neiges n'est plus sous format comics, plutôt un conte illustré, avec peu de personnages, et qui se réfère bien au conte d'Andersen.
A noter que la traduction en français du passage avec le Crâne d'oeuf (Humpty-Dumpty) a été traduit avec la comptine de Une poule qui picore sur un mur. Un bel effort de traduction, quand on sait qu'une traduction littérale n'aurait pas été bien comprise. La comptine d'Humpty Dumpty n'est pas connue en France.
La dernière histoire sur la Reine des neiges n'est plus sous format comics, plutôt un conte illustré, avec peu de personnages, et qui se réfère bien au conte d'Andersen.
A noter que la traduction en français du passage avec le Crâne d'oeuf (Humpty-Dumpty) a été traduit avec la comptine de Une poule qui picore sur un mur. Un bel effort de traduction, quand on sait qu'une traduction littérale n'aurait pas été bien comprise. La comptine d'Humpty Dumpty n'est pas connue en France.
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